Saab has received an order from the UK to provide Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifle training systems for use by the British Army, as the service continues its introduction of the weapon system following the order of a small batch in 2023.

According to a late-August social media post from Saab, the order will see M4 ‘outdoor trainer’ systems provided, which includes replica launchers that provide the same form, fit, and function as the live weapon, as well as a ballistic tables and temperature index to replicate the use of live ammunition.

The outdoor trainer is typically used in instrumented collective training exercises and for individual users to improve gunnery, Saab stated.

Depending on the ammunition selected, the system simulates proximity burst, direct hit and fused ammunition, enabled by Saab’s Compact Ballistic Laser.

The indoor trainer is a virtual system that provides operators with immediate data feedback of performance, weapon handing, and ballistics.

The order represented “continued investment by the UK Defence Equipment & Support in Saab’s live training portfolio through the recently awarded ILT-D contract”, the company stated.

In April 2024 Saab signed an initial three-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence, for the provision of support to live simulation systems with ILT-D (Instrumented Live Training), valued at £60m ($79m) and options to extend until 2030.

Carl-Gustaf returns to the British Army

In Q1 2023 the UK committed to the acquisition of 56 Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles, along with a training package and ammunition, and will see the return of the weapon to British Army service, first adopted towards the end of the 1960s in its M2 variants.

According to UK Defence Equipment & Support, the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle is a multi-role weapon system that allows dismounted soldiers to “effectively deal” with multiple challenges and targets on the modern battlefield. It can fire a range of 84mm munitions, depending on the target and battlefield requirements, particularly in the areas of anti-tank and anti-structure operations.